Give Into Me

Carson Reed, was 17 years old when she won the X-Factor a year and half ago, and became one of the most popular female singers in the world. She thought she had everything figured out. She was famous, could have anything or anyone, a career that happens only in movies, and a wonderful support team. Everything in her life was perfect. That was, until an unknown boy band was assigned to open for her tour in London. Everything changed. Her life was turned upside, and she had to make choices that no one at her age should ever have to make. She formed unexpected friendships, and bonds that couldn't be broken.

1. 1. Coming Home.

“Please stay, forever with me.” Kellin Quinn’s voice blasted through the speakers of my tour bus, as it made its way to Dallas, Texas, my last stop on the tour in North America. I couldn't wait to be off for a week until I went to London. I was going to go back to California to finish up some things on my album, and see my family.

“Your forever is all that I need. Please stay as long as you need. Can't promise that things won't be broken. But I swear that I will never le ---.” The music suddenly turned off, and I turned to see Angie, my manger standing with her hands on her hips.

“I honestly don’t understand why you listen to that crap. All they do is scream.” She said shaking her head. “You should start warming up your vocals, so things go a little faster.”

“How many songs am I doing tonight, the same as the rest?” I asked. Normally I do 5 songs at the beginning, and then talk to the audience and answer questions, then do 5 or 6 more. Sometimes I bring a girl on stage and either sing to her, or let her sing with me. That’s how Sarah Easton became signed to the label I’m signed at. We were back in D.C. and I was getting ready to perform “Tomorrow Isn’t Gone” and she had a sign that had asked if she could sing that particular song with me. Luckily, I saw it just as the first cords started playing, and had my security guard, Robb, bring her on stage. She was absolutely amazing. The audience was incomplete awe, and apparently so was my manager because she brought her back stage, and bam! She was signed a week later.

“Yes. But when you come down in the ball, and start singing “Sparks Fly”, we’re going to pick a few fans out of the line to come up on stage, and be there with you through the entire show. I wanted to do something a bit bigger since it’s your last show in America.” Angie said. She was always the one with the crazy ideas, and all the exciting stuff. I just got my little ass on whatever arena we were at, and sang my best, and talked to my fans.

“Okay, that sounds fun.” I said smiling at her, “ But, I think that diet’s starting to pay off. Your ass looks like Kim Kardashians before she got pregnant.” I told Angie, as she started towards her bunk on the bus, shaking her head and laughing.

“Sweetie, my ass looks better than Kim’s.” she told me, shaking her butt. “But, we’re here so get your sun glasses, and shoes on. The crowd out there looks ferocious.”

As I got up to get my sunglasses, I looked out the window and there were thousands of my screaming fans holding phones, cameras, signs, and jumping up and down. You would think it gets old pretty fast, but I never get tired of it. We made our way down the stairs of the bus, with Angie in front of me, my other security guard Ed in front of her, and Mona and Robb behind me bringing up the rear. I heard thousands of screams, and saw the flashes go off. Then I heard the pap’s. I hate them nosy son of bitches.

“Carson, over here! Is it true you’re going to rehab after this show!”

“Over here Carson! What do you have to say about the rumors between you and Justin Bieber and the cat fight between you and Selena Gomez!?”

“Don’t answer any of the questions Carson, just keep walking!” Angie yelled to me.

We made our way into the arena without being attacked, physically. The first show I had, back in L.A. with The X-Factor Top 10 tour, in 2011, we were all pulled into the crowd. It was so crazy. I made my way back to a room they said would be my dressing room. We still had three hours until the show, but I had to shower, and rehearse a little. I choose to rehearse first, so if I got all sweaty I wouldn't have to take another shower afterwards. I then remembered what one of the paps had yelled at me, and set off to find Angie, or her assistant, Mona.

I saw Mona first and asked, “Do you know what those paps were talking about when they said something about Selena Gomez, and Justin?”

“No. You haven’t talked to him since the X-Factor days, have you?” Mona asked.

“No, I haven’t. We didn't even really talk. He took me to lunch so we could talk about what we were going to do for the performance, and that was 2 years ago. How did that resurface? Do you know where Angie is?” I asked. On the season finale, when it was down to Carly, Liam Hunt, and I, we all got a mentor who we would perform with, and I got Justin. We went to lunch, to talk about what we would sing, and I needed to get out of that house, but that was over a year ago. Mona said Angie had gone to talk to Robb about the girls that were going to be brought on stage, and I went to find her. As I walked to the stage, I saw a ton of posters of me. I always thought it was weird seeing my face all over walls.

I found Angie standing in the entrance of the arena talking with Robb, and some guy I don’t know.

“Hey Ang, can I talk to you for a sec?” I smiled at Robb, and the guy. He was cute, had blonde shaggy hair, green eyes and was about 6’1, and looked around his early 20’s. I’ll definitely talk to him later, might be fun.

“Sure,” she smiled at the boys, and came to the stairs where I was standing, “what’s up?”

“Do you know what the paparazzi meant when they asked about the Justin, and Selena thing?” I asked her.

“I don’t know for sure, but a few days ago he tweeted about you, and a couple days later, he and Selena broke things off. I think they might be referring to that, but who the hell knows with them damn people. They piss me off.” She said as she shook her head.

“Okay, I didn't see a tweet though. I guess I just wasn't looking. That’s all I wanted, you can go now.” She turned to leave. “Wait! Who is he?” I gestured towards the boy.

“That’s Dylan, Robbs' son. He’s going to be going to England with us and Robb wanted to show him what the concerts were like. He’s cute, huh?” she said, and laughed when I nodded.

After I left Angie, I went and rehearsed a few of the songs, then showered. I came out of the bathroom, and Emaline, my makeup artist, told me to sit down, and got right to work on my makeup. She put liquid foundation on, then powder, next she put an orangish, peach colored eye shadow and a thin line of liquid eyeliner on top, making a small wing and added some mascara. She always made me look amazing; she was very well at what she did. I had my black brown hair curled into lose curls, and was told to go get dressed. I put on an orange studded bra top, with a black jean vest, with black high wait skinny jeans, and my favorite peach colored heel-combat boots. I only had about 20 minutes until the show, and I could already hear the roar of thousands of fans.

As I headed out to the back part of the stage where I would be getting in the ball, Dylan started walking with me. I turned to look at him up close and saw that he had lose curls surrounding his heart shaped face, and his green eyes had specks of brown around the edges. They were beautiful. “Hello.” I said, smiling.

“Hello. I’m Dylan. I’m supposed to be training this week, so I can go to London with you next week. My dad wants me to get a feel of things.” He said to me in a rushed voice.

“I know. Angie told me.” I said smiling at him. He nodded, and kept walking.

“So. What bus are you staying in?” I was hoping it was mine. I wouldn’t him being in there, oh no. I definitely wouldn’t.

“I think it’s yours, but I’m not sure.” He said, as we finally made our way to where the ball was. I turned to say something to him, but he was making his way across the room to Robb. Well damn.

As I climbed in the ball, I heard someone yell good luck and turned to see Ed grinning at me. I smiled back, and waved as I stepped into the ball, and was lifted up. I heard the first cords of “Sparks Fly”, then I could see everyone and the screams became wild.

“The way you move is like a full on rainstorm. And I’m a house of clouds…”

***

“You did great tonight Cars!” Angie yelled at me when I got back stage, after the concert.

“Thanks,” I said smiling, “did you see that guy try to grab my ass? He was there with his daughter! Creep.” I muttered the last part to myself. The show had been great, other than some 30 year old trying to grab my ass.

“Yes, I did. Robb would have got him, if he was too much. You have to go back stage, and sign some things, and take a few pictures so Emaline is going to come in here and touch up your makeup a bit.” I saw Emaline with her huge case of makeup, coming towards me like she was on a mission.

“Carson! Get your ass over here! We’ve got shit to do.” Emaline yelled at me from where she was across the room setting some stuff up. I went over to her, and she was right to work. After I was done I went out to a room, and sat down at a table and girls were let in.

“Hello. Did you like the concert?” I said smiling, to the first girl that came in.

“Yes! You did amazing! You’re like, my idol! My name is Becca.” It all came out in a rush, so it was hard to catch all of it.

“I’m glad you had fun Becca,” I said signing a picture of me. “Here you go.” I handed her autograph, and she made her way around the table to pose for a picture with me, and then the next girl came.

“Hello. How was the concert?” I asked. This was going to be a long night.

***

“GOD! That was the longest a signing had ever taken!” I whined to Angie as we were lying on the couch of my bus.

“Oh hush. It didn't take any longer than any other one.” She said laughing at me. “We've got a few hours until we get back to L.A.. Are you excited?”

“Yes! I can’t wait to see Emma, and Sabrina, and Jack, and the twins, and my mom!” I said excitedly. Emma was my older sister, and Jack was my nephew and Sabrina was my niece, and the twins, are my little sisters. I don’t have any brothers, well not that I’m aware of anyway. My dad’s probably off married to some crack whore with 20 kids. My dad and I don’t have any kind of contact. He left my mother, right after I was born. Emma was 3 when he left. She’s three years older than me. I have another sister, Melanie but we hardly talk. She moved in with my grandmother when she turned 15. We have never really had that much of contact. She acts like she’s better than, me and my family. Newsflash bitch, you’re a stay at home mom, who’s addicted to shopping and sells her own medication. Please, tell me how much better you are. The twins aren’t my whole sisters, my mom was with this guy named Joseph and they were going to get married, but he was in an accident and passed away. My mother was devastated. I’m still convinced that’s how she got back into all the drugs and shit.

“I knew you would be.” Angie laughed, and gestured for me to hand her the tub of ice cream. “How’s your mom doing?”

“I guess she’s doing better, but I haven’t talked to her for a couple weeks. I just miss her so much.” My mom was addicted to pain medication, from when I was 6 until I was 10, then went to rehab. She recently relapsed though, but went and got help again. “I haven’t talked to her since the day she went in. All I know is that I’m paying for her to be in there, and she’s gotten better so she should be out soon. I hope she stays clean.” I said shoveling a huge amount of ice cream in my mouth. “I don’t know what I’ll do if she doesn't. Emma can’t raise her own kids, along with two teenage girls. She doesn't need that, and the girls deserve to have their mother. And her be clean.”

“Well, hopefully she does. She could come on tour with you sometimes, you know? I’m sure management wouldn’t mind as long as she stayed quiet.”

“That would be great. I could keep an eye on her, and she would see me perform.” I said excitedly. She’s never been to one of my concerts. Ever. Just Emma, the kids, and the twins.

“Yeah, that would be nice.” Angie said smiling. “Well. I think I’m going to head to bed. Goodnight! Love you.” Angie said leaning down to kiss my head.

“Okay, love you too.” Angie, is like my mother, and bestfriend all together. She knows my whole life, and doesn’t judge me like some bitches.

“Oh hey, I gave Dylan your number. He said you were really cute. And I knew you thought so too.” She said winking.

“I was going to get you to give me his number!” I said laughing. “So what is it? Just in case, you know?”

“I’m pretty sure he’ll text you.” She said laughing at me. “I’ll go get my phone, and give it to you though.” Walking to her part of the bus.

She read the number off to me, and went to bed. I stayed up for a while watching my favorite movie, John Tucker Must Die, when I felt my phone vibrate.

“Hey, it’s Dylan. Angie gave me your number, I hope you don’t mind. (:” is what the message read. I clicked ‘reply’ and sent him, “Haha. It’s fine. What’s up?” and then from there, we just talked until I fell asleep.

***

I woke up a few hours later by Angie telling me we were in Las Angeles. I went to the bathroom, to brush my hair, and teeth. I looked in the mirror and decided I just needed to shower, but I’d have to wait until I got home to do that. I went back to the living room where Angie sat typing furiously on her MacBook. I said good morning, and went to grab a banana from the kitchen.

“What are you working on?” I asked sitting down beside her on the couch.

“Just booking you a few talk shows and whatnot for when you get in London.” She said gesturing for me to look at the screen.

“Oh. How many have booked so far?” I asked.

“I’m working on the third one right now.” Angie said biting her nail and glancing at me. “So. There’s this boy band that’s been kind of falling into the background here in America, and there in London. Well, just everywhere really. They've not had any publicity for a while. They’re all great boys, really. But, uhm, well you see, their management has asked if they could maybe, open up for your tour.” She said nervously glancing at me and biting her nail. She knows how I feel about boy bands. They’re obnoxious assholes who don’t care about anyone but themselves. I have experience with one particular band. They’re called the Jonas Brothers. They opened for the first three concerts I had on my “Sparks Fly” tour. I dated Joe for two weeks and he ended up being a huge controlling fuck that only cared about his image. They piss me off, and so does this.

“Ugh. You know how I feel about them, Ang. They’re obnoxious, arrogant, assholes.” I whined.

“I know, and I’m sorry. But they’re paying us a lot. Just think about it. Please?” she asked, giving me her full attention now.

“Fine, but it’s not because of the money.” I said agitated. “Who is it though?” I asked.

“They’re called One Direction. They won the Xtra Factor a couple years ago. I think it was the same year as you, actually. I've not met them but the girls love them, and they seem really sweet and not at all conceited. I think this may be good for you too.” I’d heard of them, but not too much. They toured here a year ago. They were very big with teenage girls, and younger.

“Whatever. How long are they going to be with me?” I was hoping it was only for a couple of concerts.

“The rest of the tour.” She stated flatly looking at her screen again. I groaned and looked out the window. I saw we were coming down the road before we turned onto my street. I went to my part of the bus and started gathering up all my stuff into my suitcase. I went to the bathroom and got my tooth and hair brush and tooth paste. Then I heard Angie yell to me that we were at my house. I bought my family a house. It’s huge. My mom, Sabrina and her kids, the twins and I all live in it, and are able to have their own rooms, and we still have an extra room. There are 9 rooms, and 7 baths. A huge ass kitchen, living, dining, and game room.

As I lifted my suitcases, I looked around to make sure I had everything. When I was sure I did, I made my way out to my house. I walked up the sidewalk to the door, and looked at all of the gardening I’d noticed my sister had done. It looked very nice. I heard my nephew and niece before the front door even opened. I put my suitcases down when I saw them run towards me. “Aunt Carson! I missed you so much!” Sabrina said as she jumped on me.

“I missed you to baby girl.” I said laughing as Jack came to stand in front of us. “Are you just going to stand there, or are you going to hug your aunt Jack?” I asked teasing him, as he flew into my arms as well.

“I missed you.” Jack said quietly.

“I missed you too, Jack.” I said hugging him tightly. “Now let me get my suitcases in the house so I can see you two. I only have a week off!” I said as I picked up my suitcases, and we made our way into the house. I looked around and saw everything that was so familiar to me. My sister got to decorate. She loved doing it anyway seeing as how she was an interior designer. I walked up the stairs to my room to sit my stuff in there. I opened the door, and looked around at everything. My bed was made perfectly, with its orange and green fluffy duvet, and my elephant stuffed animal. My computer desk was neat, like I’d always kept it. Even if my room was a pigsty, my desk was always neat. I walked over to my bed and let myself fall on it. I’ve really missed it here.

As I got up to go down stairs to see Emma, I heard Jack and Sabrina arguing about something. I stopped to look at some of the pictures that were hung on the wall. There were new ones. There was one of Emma, and I when we were little and we were playing dolls. We were in her room and had dolls in our hands, smiling up at the camera. One of Jack, Sabrina, and I on her first birthday. One of me, my mom, the twins, and Emma at one of our aunt’s houses. The rest were just of us now, together. The twins’ school pictures, us at parties, baby pictures, things like that.

“Hey there little sister.” Emma said as I walked into the kitchen. “We’ve missed you.” She said coming around the island to hug me.

“I know. I've missed you guys too. I’m so glad I got to come home for a week before going straight to London. I would have flown you all out anyway.” I said going to sit on a bar stool.

“I know you would have. Thank goodness you’re here though. I want to remodel, and needed some help going to pick things out.” She said excitedly.

“Sounds good to me.” I laughed as she threw something in the pan and missed. “What are you making? It smells good.” This was going to be a very good week; I’ve missed my family so much.